Troubleshooting
Why Wallpaper Seams Lift, Bubble or Show, and How Pros Fix It
Most wallpaper problems come from what is under the paper. Lifting seams usually mean the wall was not primed or the paste dried too fast; bubbles are often trapped air or paste that has not cured yet; visible gaps can come from paper shrinking as it dries; and color jumps between strips usually mean mixed batches. Good prep and the right adhesive prevent almost all of them.
In short
- Small bubbles in the first day or two often flatten as paste cures.
- Lifting seams: usually unprimed walls, wrong paste or humidity swings.
- Gaps at seams: paper shrinkage, over-stretched strips or a dusty wall.
- Shade differences: different batch numbers or strips not reversed when required.
Problems, causes and fixes
| Problem | Common causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting or curling seams | No primer, paste dried before seams were rolled, wrong adhesive, steam | Re-glue with seam adhesive; prime properly next time |
| Bubbles | Trapped air, uneven paste, wall not smoothed, fresh paste | Wait 24–48 hours; if they stay, slit and re-paste |
| Gaps between strips | Paper shrinking as it dries, over-stretching, dusty surface | Correct paste and booking time; color-matched seam fill in minor cases |
| Bumps and lines under the paper | Texture, joint lines, nail pops, debris | Only fixed by prep: skim coat, sanding, primer |
| Color jumps between strips | Mixed batches, strips not reversed when the label says so | Replace strips from the same batch |
| Peeling in bathrooms | Moisture, no exhaust fan, non-vinyl paper | Fix ventilation, use vinyl and moisture-resistant paste |
How professionals prevent them
- Repair and skim the wall, then apply a wallcovering primer.
- Check that every roll has the same batch number before cutting.
- Follow the label: paste type, booking time and whether to reverse strips.
- Roll seams gently, wipe paste off the face and keep the room at steady temperature while it cures.
When to call a pro
Many seam and bubble issues can be fixed without replacing the paper if they are caught early. If you see damp spots, black marks or paper pulling away in large sections, the cause is probably moisture in the wall, and that needs to be found first.
Where we work: neighborhoods and ZIP codes
We fix lifting seams and bubbles in homes across Gwinnett County, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell and East Cobb.
Gwinnett County
- 30017 Grayson
- 30096 Duluth
- 30092 Peachtree Corners
- 30071 Norcross
- 30093 Norcross
- 30043 Lawrenceville
- 30045 Lawrenceville
- 30046 Lawrenceville
- 30019 Dacula
- 30052 Loganville
- 30078 Snellville
- 30039 Snellville
- 30518 Buford / Sugar Hill
- 30519 Buford
North Atlanta: Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Midtown
- 30305 Buckhead
- 30327 Buckhead / Tuxedo Park
- 30342 Buckhead / Sandy Springs
- 30328 Sandy Springs
- 30350 Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
- 30338 Dunwoody
- 30319 Brookhaven
- 30324 Brookhaven / Lindbergh
- 30329 North Druid Hills
- 30341 Chamblee / Brookhaven
- 30339 Vinings / Cumberland
- 30309 Midtown / Ansley Park
- 30318 West Midtown / Westside
Roswell and East Cobb
- 30075 Roswell
- 30076 Roswell
- 30077 Roswell
- 30062 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30066 Marietta / East Cobb
- 30068 Marietta / East Cobb
Also serving: Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek; Cumming; Woodstock, Canton and Hall County. Not sure we cover your street? Send your ZIP code with a quote request.
About WallPros. WallPros LLC is a wallpaper installation company based in Grayson, Georgia, serving Gwinnett County, North Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, East Cobb, Cumming and the rest of Metro Atlanta for 10 years. We install, remove and prepare walls for homeowners, interior designers and builders.
FAQ
Common questions
Will wallpaper bubbles go away on their own?
Small bubbles in fresh paper often flatten within a day or two as the paste dries. Large or late bubbles need re-pasting.
Can lifting seams be fixed?
Usually yes, with a seam adhesive and a seam roller, as long as the paper is not damaged.
Why can I see the seams in my grasscloth?
That is normal for natural fibers. See our grasscloth guide.